Oven Baked Fish à la Provençale

This is a regional dish from Provence, southeastern France. This dish is typically made with a fish called Dorade (sea bream). Many other white fish options will work nicely, including snapper, sea bass, hogfish, and tilapia. The key with any fish meal is fresh fish—the eyes should be plump, the skin shiny, and the fish should smell like the sea; it should not smell fishy.

I ordered this meal in Antibes, France one of the oldest cities in Provence on the Côte d’Azur. 40 years ago I

spent a summer living and working in nearby Cannes as a sailboat captain and cook, and came to Antibes to meet friends. It feels wonderful to be back enjoying this region.Oven Baked Fish à la Provençale

6 black olives with pits, sliced in half lengthwise and with pits removed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° (F).

Place fish in an ovenproof casserole dish. Rub with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and ¼ teaspoon of salt, and thyme over fish, inside and out. bake in the oven for 20 minutes, until fish meat flakes and temperature is 150-160° (F) with a meat thermometer.

While fish is baking, heat a sauté pan to medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, then onion, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, black pepper, and Herbs de Provence and heat for 3 minutes with an occasional stir until onion softens. Add tomatoes and with an occasional stir, heat another 3 minutes. Add garlic and basil, reduce to simmer, stir occasionally and heat for 3 minutes, then remove from heat.

Pour sauce into a food processor or blender, and puree until smooth.

Transfer puree to a saucepan, add black olives and continue to simmer at low heat.

When fish is baked, transfer to a serving plate and spoon sauce over fish and serve.

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3 Comments

This fish dish is perfect for anyone but especially someone that is working on losing a few pounds but still looking for bright flavors in their meals. Pair with a wonderful salad using a bit of lemon, olive oil & shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. Some steamed asparagus with a touch of real butter & you have a meal to satisfy!

We adore Dorade Provencal and offer a tip on where to find freshly-caught fish on the Cote d’Azur. There are a couple of local fisherman who usually bring their catch to the quay at Villefranche-sur-Mer, just east of Nice, daily between 10am and noon. Dorade Royale is usually included along with many other Mediterranean fish. They will clean it for you. Nothing like fresh fish just out of the sea with Dr. Masley’s fab recipe!